The Kvarner Region Tourist Board, together with its partners – Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, and the Producers Cooperative – The Kvarner Wines Association – has signed an agreement to join the European Region of Gastronomy business platform and secure the title of European Region of Gastronomy for the year 2026.

“I am extremely pleased; this agreement is both a great recognition and the crown of a long process that the Kvarner Region Tourist Board, along with its partners – Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, the Producers’ Cooperative – Kvarner Wines And Winemakers Association, local food producers, restaurateurs, and local tourist boards – has been leading for more than a decade. Although the official start is in 2026, from the moment of signing this agreement, we begin to enjoy all the privileges that the status of European Region of Gastronomy brings, particularly in terms of visibility and the overall impact on tourism within our county”, emphasized Dr. Irena Peršić Živadinov, Director of the Kvarner Region Tourist Board, after signing the agreement with Dr. Diane Dodd, President of IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism), an institution recognized by and cooperating with UNESCO and UNWTO.

This is an important step that clearly and proudly highlights one of the region’s greatest advantages to visitors: excellent, diverse cuisine and authentic local wines. A series of multi-year activities in the development and promotion of gastronomy – such as the Kvarner Gourmet and Kvarner Food projects, Kvarner Wines, quality labels like Michelin, Gault&Millau, JRE, and designations of origin for food products – have brought the destination to a level of readiness for entry onto the international market, global branding, and the development of the local community in terms of sustainability and further positioning gastronomy as a key motive for guest arrivals. International quality labels enhance the reputation and attractiveness of the tourist destination. All of this will now be crowned with the exceptional title of European Region of Gastronomy and affirm the region’s true identity on both the European and global stage.

The guidelines set forth in strategic documents, both national and regional, and especially the new Action plan for the development of gastronomy in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, recognize the role and significance of gastronomy as a much broader field than just the preparation and consumption of food and wine. The promotion and development of eno-gastronomy imply the protection and promotion of local food and culture, sustainable development, improved quality and visibility, as well as fostering cross-sector connections between tourism, agriculture, gastronomy, culture, education, healthcare, and other sectors.

The news of fulfilling all the obligations required before signing this important document, as well as initiating processes that will support the further development of gastronomy and tourism as a whole, delighted County Prefect Zlatko Komadina. “For years, in close cooperation with the Kvarner Region Tourist Board, we have been systematically working on branding and positioning Primorje-Gorski Kotar County as a gastro destination, so we can proudly say that we are thrilled by the news that we have become the European Region of Gastronomy for 2026. Along with the excellent restaurants and taverns in the region that bear the Kvarner Gourmet and Kvarner Food labels, our renowned chefs, who are truly world-class, have contributed significantly to this achievement. This title is a reward for all of them and for all of us”, said Komadina.

More details are available on Novi list.